Football People Action Weeks

Football People Action Weeks

The Football People action weeks unite supporters, clubs, ethnic minorities and communities affected by discrimination across the continent in a concerted effort to make discrimination a thing of the past.

The Football People weeks bring people together. Get involved.

The Football People weeks challenge discrimination and celebrate the contribution we all make to football, wherever we live, whatever our connection to the game, whatever our background.

The Football People weeks aim to:

• Increase public awareness of discrimination in football
• Create a united front by bringing together everyone in football
• Develop ideas and new practices that challenge exclusion

A key part of the activities are the events that further social inclusion by bringing people of different communities together through sport.

What started as a minor campaign in nine countries in 2001 has now become the largest series of anti-discrimination activities in sport.

In 2015, over 2,000 activities took place in 67 countries, including Mexico, Vietnam, the United States and South Africa, with some of Europe’s top stars lending support to the campaign through the #FOOTBALLPEOPLE hash tag, such as Yaya Touré, Thiago Silva, Thomas Hitzlsperger and Edinson Cavani.

All UEFA Europa League, Champions League and EURO 2016 Qualifying matches took part in the campaign, reaching fans directly at the matches and millions more through television. In 2015, 199 professional clubs participated in the campaign, joined by 17 European FAs, 12 leagues and three players’ unions.

Fare yearly provides small grants for up to 250 groups and offers larger Events grants to support nationwide activities.

In 2015, nearly 100,000 people were reached through the financial support Fare offered to support different types of activities.

Every year groups including fan groups, ethnic minority organisations, football clubs and a variety of NGOs from all over Europe organise activities and launch initiatives to challenge racism and discrimination. Fare’s long-term focus on the situation in Eastern and Central Europe has led to an increasing involvement of groups in the Balkans, the former Soviet republics and the new EU members such as Croatia.

In 2016, the Football People weeks will run between 06-20 October.

To receive updates on the Football People weeks please subscribe to the Fare newsletter.